Laba - a river that is famous for its unbridled character, rapid flow and indescribable picturesqueness. Among tourists traveling in the mountains of the Caucasus, it is especially popular. Locals make extensive use of Laba water for household purposes. This reservoir can be safely called the main river of the Krasnodar Territory, without which the landscape of the European part of Russia would not be so colorful.
Laba (river): where is it
This reservoir is one of the most significant in the Transcaucasian region of Russia. Laba is a river (a tributary of the Kuban), which flows through two regions: Adygea and the Krasnodar Territory. It originates from the villages of Red Guy and the Free World. Formed by the confluence of two rivers: Small and Big Laba. Brooks turning into a huge river flow from the glaciers of the Main Caucasus Range.
Laba - a river in the Krasnodar Territory, which flows along the flat terrain, in the Adygea region - along the lowlands and high mountain gorges.
Two large cities were erected on its shores: Labinsk and Ust-Labinsk. From the Krasnodar Territory on the Labe are the villages of Phii, Rozhkao, Zagedan, Asian village. In the Adygea region near it there are many small villages and auls: Natyrbovo, Jägeruhai, Pshizo, Khatukai.
origin of name
The Adyghe people called Labe "Labe". A certain version of why the river bears such an unusual name does not exist. Guesses are made that the word is borrowed from the Iranian language, in which "lab" means "coast". From the language of the Svans, neighbors of the Caucasians, “labna” is translated as “source”. The Karachay language interprets the word "lab" as a bell. If you draw a parallel and collect all the variants of origin and translation together, you get a literary affectionate "ringing river."
general characteristics
This river has the following dimensions:
- length - 215 km;
- length along with tributaries - 10,500 km;
- depth - from 1.2 m to 2 m;
- width - from 35 m to 200 m;
- pool area - 12.5 km ²;
- flow velocity - from 0.7 m / s to 1.2 m / s.
The upper course of the river is swift. Laba tributaries, formed in the mountains and at their feet, murmur noisily and flow through bottomless gorges. The lower course, on the contrary, is moderate, with sloping shores and sandy beaches.
Laba - a river that has a huge number of tributaries, their total number exceeds 4000. Kuksa, Chamlyk, Giaga are considered the largest tributaries of Laba.
The river is full of water, but in the fall it is much shallow. With the advent of spring, glaciers and mountain snows begin to melt, the Laba River increases in volume. Of great importance for the spill is the amount of precipitation. In the gorge valleys, snow lies even in summer. The river is fed by underwater.
There are more than 45 glaciers. In places in the Laba Valley, powerful underground keys beat. The surface of the river is covered with a crust of ice in the second half of December with severe cold. If the winter is warm, Laba does not freeze at all. It thaws in late February or early March.
Laba - a river that for many years served as an irrigation agent for flooded fields, in the 70s rice was grown on its banks. Now there are no fields, but the main function is preserved: it is used for household needs.
Flora and fauna
In areas where the Laba River begins to flow, impenetrable spruce forests predominate. Some trees reach several tens of meters in height. Poplars, willows, ash-trees, perennial oaks, shrubs like blackthorns, hawthorns grow in dense forests. Flora growing along the banks of the river belongs to the steppe species. Characteristic plants are wheat grass, mint, and beans. The floodplain of the river is wide, sometimes swampy. There are small islands completely overgrown with trees.
Trout, crucian carp, roach, and chub live in the waters of Laba.
Tourism
Laba is a river in the Krasnodar Territory, the photo of which shows that it is popular among tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. It is used for kayaking and canoeing, for fishing and excursions.
Roads were built along the river. The largest of them are Psebaya-Mostovsky, M29-Labinsk, and Rodnikovoye Shosse. The only bridge built across the Laba connects Adygea with the Krasnodar Territory and stretches 4.4 km in length. Access to the river is open and free.
Laba is a river that fishermen have chosen. Some of them are engaged in fishing on special equipment professionally. On the banks of the Laba, hotels, motels, recreation areas, beach areas are equipped. Cyclists have noticed the river and regularly arrange races along its banks. In late spring and summer, vehicles are rented at numerous camp sites.
Waterfalls
There are several places along this river that are particularly popular. These are waterfalls that have become a landmark of the reservoir. They are often visited by tourists to enjoy the unique views of nature.
Kapustin Waterfall, located between the villages of Nikitino and Kutan, is the largest in the entire district. Pure water falls from a height of 54 meters. The place where the water comes in contact with the cliff is covered with perennial moss, a brook spills at the foot of the rocks. Visitors to this wonderful place stand under a waterfall and enjoy the powerful splashes of huge water flows.
The height of Nikitinsky Falls, the second largest in the district, is 46 meters. The waterfall is located in the Laba River Valley. The ledges of heavy stones, framed by moss, attract the eye. His noise is heard for several hundred meters. This natural site is not inferior to Kapustin Falls in attendance. It’s hardly possible to admire the beauty of nature alone at Nikitinsky Falls.